Vietnamese state media are reporting that at least 44 people have been killed in this week's heavy flooding across northern and central Vietnam.

The reports say at least 17 people have died in the capital, Hanoi, alone.

Many of the streets in the downtown are remain under water. Food prices are soaring as heavy seasonal rains have ruined crops and stalled transportation systems.

Authorities say more rain is expected in the coming days. They say the country is experiencing its heaviest rainfall in more than 20 years. Parts of the country have seen more than 30 centimeters of rain in a single day.

The central province of Nghe An also has been hard-hit, with at least 11 people killed in the floods.